The Phenomenon of Euthanasia in Criminal-Legal, Criminological and Medical-Biological Aspect. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis

Abstract

The aim of the thesis is comprehension and analysis of the criminal legal, criminological as well as medical and biological issues of euthanasia; the proposal of ways to solve the identified problems, as well as proposal of appropriate legal regulation model of euthanasia in Latvia. The grounds for the doctoral thesis structure and layout are the following: The structure of the thesis has been defined with logic of the study, its aims and objectives. The thesis consists of the introduction, four sections and chapters, conclusions and suggestions, bibliography and Annexes. The introduction of the thesis presents topicality of the subject, as well as purpose of the study, tasks, object and subject of the study, as well as the applied scientific methods and methodology. The Section I provides for general description of euthanasia in the historical development of the country and legislation, theoretical grounds of the euthanasia concept are being analyzed, as well as its forms and types; it has also been considered within medically biological, legal and natural sciences. The Section II is dedicated to criminological analysis of reasons and preventive circumstances of mercy killing (euthanasia) of a person, as well as the current situation in Latvia regarding the issue of euthanasia is analysed. The Section III analyses the disposition of euthanasia in the criminal law, differences of euthanasia from substance of some other crimes, for instance, homicide or leading to suicide; correlation of euthanasia is reviewed with some criminal law institutes, comparative criminal analysis of the euthanasia substance structure is provided, as well as regulation of criminal liability on euthanasia in foreign legislation. The Section IV is dedicated to legislation of the European countries and the US regarding legalisation of euthanasia, court practices on mercy killing (euthanasia). Based on the theoretical analysis and empirical results acquired during the study, conclusions have been made and propositions have been expressed. The results of theoretical and practical cognitions have been presented in 8 images and 1 table. The bibliography list of the thesis consists of 208 sources and 46 other informative resources in Latvian, Russian and English, as well as legislation and materials of court practice. The calculation tables of the study results and description of questionnaires has been attached in the annex.